Court clears Manitoba Métis president of wrongdoing in case launched by national body

The Manitoba Metis Federation is celebrating a court ruling from Ontario which found its president did not breach his fiduciary duties while serving the nationa

OTTAWA — The Manitoba Métis Federation is celebrating an Ontario Superior Court decision that found its president did not breach his fiduciary duties while serving as finance minister for the Métis National Council.

In a decision released Tuesday, Justice Loretta P. Merritt wrote that a series of transactions made under the leadership of former MNC president Clément Chartier and MMF president David Chartrand did not breach their fiduciary duties.

Merritt concluded they acted “honestly and with a view to the best interests of the MNC and the Métis Nation.”

“It’s clear that the plaintiffs were not straight with the court, and the court saw through it. The MMF remains focused on self-government implementation, the delivery of programs and services to our citizens, and defence of our identity as the Red River Métis,” Chartrand said in a media statement.

“We will not allow the integrity of our government — or the legacy of our veterans and our history — to be sacrificed to political agendas or personally motivated attacks. We will continue to stand up for truth and accountability, protect our democratic principles, defend our people, and uphold the best interests of the Red River Métis.”

The case, brought by the Métis National Council, alleged Chartrand, Chartier and former executive director Wenda Watteyne conspired to intentionally harm the MNC through “secret, unauthorized and self-serving transactions” between 2019 and 2021.

The MNC alleged the actions of the former employees were meant to “destroy” the organization so that the MMF would serve as the national voice for Métis. Merritt concluded that was not true.

“Mr. Chartier and President Chartrand devoted their lives to the Métis Nation,” Merritt wrote.

“They did not set out to destroy the MNC and harm it financially to benefit themselves, the consultants or the employees.”

The Métis National Council said it is “disappointed with the outcome of the case” and that it remains committed to transparency, accountability and the protection of the interests of the Métis Nation.

MNC president Victoria Pruden wrote in a media statement that is exactly what Métis citizens want the council to do.

“Court decisions may affect the pace, but they will never change our direction. The Métis Nation is stronger than any single dispute, and together we will keep telling our stories, defending our rights, and building our future,” Pruden wrote.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2025

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press